To Collapse ⌜Chilumi⌟

CHAPTER 10 - Let's Start

   Lumine and Childe returned to Snezhnaya, then told the Tsaritsa in detail about their journey, and she gave them a satisfied smile that the traveler hated even more.

   The help of the cryo archon was however essential to face a war that seemed so difficult to win. A war against her brother because she could not accept his ideals and follow him on a path that she herself knew was impossible to cross.

   With a few days of rest granted, Lumine decided to train even more, she knew that despite an undeniable talent she could not be up to the challenge of an army of the abyss and a brother who was ready to kill his sister to accomplish his mother's plans. 

   Aether was the darkness.

   Lumine was the light. 

   Days had passed and the young woman had not heard from Ganyu. She didn't dare to inquire and even wondered if she really had the right, if she was worthy. 

   "She is alive."

   As if reading her thoughts Childe appeared in front of her with one hand on his hip and his bow in the other. "I sent my men to find out." He huffed as he looked up to the sky letting the evening breeze caress his face. "I wish I'd told you before but they're pretty slow. Albedo took care of Ganyu. She's weakened but she's fine."

   "Thanks."

   Lumine said no more and resumed her training, she refused to be happy, reassured, let alone smile. 

   "You have the right to be relieved."

   The young woman closed her eyes and planted her sword in the ground. She didn't understand why Childe was trying so hard to follow her around, to help her, to listen to her. 

   "I still can't figure out why you take such an interest in me."

   "I already explained it to you." He began to smile, letting his bow disappear in a hydro smoke. "You remind me of my mother.

   "I feel sorry for her."

   "Really not, you know she-" Childe paused, searching for words so as not to hurt her feelings, not even more so, she was already too hurt. "She's amazing."

   "You don't have to be gentle with me." Lumine turned and offered him a smile for the first time in a long time. "Fight me."

   From that night on, they faced each other every day at sunset until morning, accepting the few hours of sleep they had left. Each day brought them closer to the truth and reality and each day it got closer and closer until they knew it...

   They would regret it.

   "My father was sometimes very strict with me."